There were tears as Johanna Konta took a hefty tumble during Friday’s three set Aegon International semi-final defeat to Karolina Pliskova at Eastbourne but over the course of the last year her career trajectory has been much more about flying than falling with style.
It was, then a worrying moment for the Australian-born woman who has surged up the rankings since, ranked outside the world’s top 100, she had to rely on a wildcard to take part in this tournament a year ago and was routinely dismissed by Maria Sharapova. Her emotional reaction looked like that of someone who had hurt herself badly enough to be concerned that she might be in danger of missing out on capitalising on her new-found place in home affections at Wimbledon following the fine runs at both last year’s US Open and to the semi-final at January’s Australian Open that have helped her establish herself as the first British woman for more than 20 years to break into the world’s top 20.
The 25-year-old indicated afterwards that the tears had more to do with her psychological make-up than any physiological damage, however, explaining that she tends to cry when shocked but that there was no lasting damage and by yesterday she had fully recovered her composure.
“I think it's a given with the grass that you are going to slip and tumble here and there. You get good at falling and try to make it look as graceful as possible,” she said, smiling broadly.
Overall last week’s performance offered further encouragement that after a first-round exit at the French Open she is on a surface on which she is comfortable enough to challenge, albeit there is immediate danger as she confronts an opponent in Monica Puig who also made a mark at Eastbourne in reaching the other semi-final after coming through the qualifying competition.
“That would have been kind of funny if we played each other then played each other a few days later,” Konta said. “She's playing, quite self explanatory, really good tennis. She's playing very well on this surface and so far this year.
“I think we played once previously as well, last year on the grass. I think it went all the way, maybe even six in the third. It will be a really tough match. I expect nothing less.”
However Konta can expect a different level of support to any she has received previously as she goes into the event offering the prospect of maintaining British interest in both singles draws deep into the second week.
“Actually, I really don't [know what to expect] because I've never been in Andy's or Tim's shoes. I don't know how they experience what they experience. For me, this will be a new thing,” she said.
“I'm looking forward to it. Equally, you know, I'm here to play my tennis, yeah, just really enjoy what I do. Hopefully give the crowd some good matches.”
And she is determined not to let her emotions get the better of her this time around.
“I guess the less I think about it, the less of a thought process I need to go into it,” said Konta. “I'm here to play, not to have a reaction or manage other people's expectations. I'm here for me.”
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